Electric snap-switch.



M. GUETT.

ELECTRIC SNAP SWITCH.

APPLICATION FI'L'ED NOV. 20. 1916.

L l Patented Apr. 9, 1918.-

. l i*A A l L .Hni

A uNrrnD semaine raar wie.

MONROE GUETT, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, Als-SIGNOR T0 THE HART & HEGEMAN MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF HARTFORD; CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

ELECTRIC SNAP-SWITCH.

Patented Apr. 9, 119mg.

Application filed November 20, 1916. Serial No. 182,250.

To all lwhom t may concern.'

Beit known that I, Moskou GUETT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State lof Connecticut, have invented certain new of advantageous incorporation in switches of various types.

In the drawings accompanying and form v ing part of the present specication I show in detail one convenient form of embodiment of the invention which will be set forth fully in the following description. I do not restrict myself to this showing; I may depart therefrom in several respects within the scope of the invention defined by the claims following said description. In this part-icular representation, the invention is shown ascomprising part of a pendent switch, wherein it operates in a satisfactory manner. As may be inferred, however, I do not limit myself to this particular use. Referring to said drawings: Figure l is a top plan view with the upperv section of the casing removed. l

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the switch.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction ofv the arrow.

l Fig. 4 is a plan view of an actuator.

Fig. 5 is a detail view of an arm.

Fig. 6 is a detail view in elevation of a pin. G

Fig. 7 is a detail view in elevation of an anti-friction roller. l

Like vcharacters refer to like parts throughout the several views. I

As has been observed, I do not limit myself to the employment of the invention in any particular form of switch, although'it possesses utility when used in conjunction with or forming part of a pendent snap switchv as illustrated partly vin Figs. l, 2 and 3.

'There is a support. This support may be vided, the

of any desirable nature; as shown it consists of a body as 2 of some suitable insulating material as porcelain or composition. The several parts of the snap movement and certain adjunctive elements are in the case of a pendent snap switch, inclosed by a suitable casing such as that denoted in a general way by 3 and which may consistof tWo sections united by a screw-thread or other convenient joint*` the lower or main section of the metal casing 3 receiving thevinsulating body 2 and the upper having an opening which receives a bushing as 4 forthe passage of the suspending cord, the wires of which are adapted to be electrically and mechanically associated with wire connecting members as will hereinafter more particularly appear.

The device involves a suitable actuator` such as that denoted in a general way by 5 in Figs. l'and 2 and whichis illustrated in detail in Fig. 4. This actuator comprises the buttons 6 and 7 of insulating material molded onto or otherwise connected with the terminal portions of the intermediate metallic body 8, these buttons being accessible exteriorly of the casing 3 as shown in both Figs. 1 and 2. Said actuator has an tion of the slot being virtually of elliptical form and receiving within it in the present case, a switching member such as that denoted in a general way 'by l1 and herein-v after described. To support and guide the actuator any suitable means may be proposts or uprights 30 being shown for this purpose, these brackets being mounted at opposite sides of a chamber or cavity (hereinafter described) in the upper surface of the insulating supporting body 2. The sides of the said posts or uprights 30 are notched as at 31 to slidingly receive the intermediate portion 8 of the actuator and thus guide it. Said posts or uprights may be held in fixed position in any desirable manner as by the screws 32 extending through perforations in said insulating it@ body and threaded into the feet 33 ofv fthe posts 30. rlFhe switching member comprises an arm 12 and an anti-friction roller as 13, the anti-friction roller constituting the active part of the switching member. While as will be hereinafter evident, this anti-friction roller is quite advantageous as the terminalfportion of the switching member, it is not always necessary that ll should utilize it. @bviously it travels in a comparatively frictionless manner and serves the additional function of a bridging piece. llt will be-clear that it is of conducting material. The arm 12 which carries this antifriction roller or bridging member 13 'is of sheet metal, although this is not a vital point. 'llhe base portion 14 of the arm 12 has 'an aperture 15 which receives for rotation the central or reduced portion 16 of the anti-friction roller. Said anti-friction roller, as will be clear,l comprises two end cylindrical portionsand a connecting neck of the pivot portion of reduced .diameter which has a rotative connection or association with the arm 12. Said arm and antiriction roller constitutea switching mem- .lhe upper surface of the insulating body 2 asshownis furnished with a cavity, chamber or pocket as 17, the bottom of which is on a downward arc or concaved, and although ll do not imperatively require such a formation, it is of advantage. llt presents a runway or guide way for the bridging member or anti-friction roller 13, the end walls 18 and 19 of the chamber or cavity presenting stops of advantageous form for the switching member when the same vis in the respective positions, or when the switch is respectively on and od. l llt is shown as ou 1n both Figs. 1 and 2 by full lines, and as on'by dotted lines in said Fig. 2. lln

i Fig. 3 the anti-friction roller 13 acting as the operative part of the switching member 1s shown in-.both positions by dotted lines.

'llhis switching member through the arm 12 has an operating connection with the actuatorA 5, and ll will now set forth a construction which properly meets my purposes infthis respect. Extending across the wide part 10 of. the slot in the actuator 5 is the pin 20, the intermediate portion 8 of the actuator having bearings 21 of practically tubular form to pivotally receive the'duplilcate Journals 22 of the pin 20, said pin bef tween its endsr having the4 groove 23 which receives the bifurcated portion 24 of the arm 12, said bifurcated portion straddling the pivot pin 25 which connects the'enlarged portions 26 of the pin 20, these enlarged portions bearing against the opposite side walls of the practically elliptical part -10 vof ,l `tl1e slot9. T lhis provides a construction by whlchendwlse movement of the pin 20 is prevented. The pin itself furnishes a conincassi venient way of pivotally connecting the switching arm-12 with the actuator 5 therevfor and provides also for the'proper'relative endwise movement of said arm 12. As the arm 12 is forked, it will be clear that it has an open slot at its outer end.

Between the actuator 5 and the arnr12l is interposed suitable spring means by which may be gathered, acts as a convenient means.

for imparting the requisite snap movement to the arm 12 or its equivalent. Set against the stop surface 18 are contacts 35 and 36 which are provided with angular Shanks 37 under the bases of the wire connecting members38, these bases being held in place in some suitable manner, as by the screws 39 and having means as by screws 4:1 for the connection with the wires therewith. As will be clear,.these wire connecting members 38 have electrical connection with the transverse Shanks ofthe two contacts 35 and 36. rllhese two contacts have upright portions which bear against the stop surface 18 and are continued for a short distance along the adjacent portion of the bottom of the chamber or cavity l17. Said contacts are, of course, separated but are adapted when 'the switch is on to be bridged by the anti-friction roller 13, as will be hereinafter set forth. l

lin Fig. 1 the switching member 11 is od, the roller 13 at this time beingagainst the stop face 19 and the bottom of the cavity as shown by full lines in Fig. 2. To close lll@ the circuit or to move the switching mem-` yber 11 to on, the following procedure may this upright position is reached the dead center relation is assumed, the dead center line intersecting the a'Xes of the roller 13 and the pin 20. During this motion the spring 27 is compressed which results in its beingfurther stressed. The instant the cen'-4 ter of connection between the pin 20 and the actuator 5 crossesthis dead center line when the actuatorv is following the direction set forth, the stressed spring acting against the' Shoulders 28 will snap the switching member l1 to the dotted line position in Fig. 2 which is its on position, the spring through the intermediate parts moving the actuator of which the two buttons form a part to the dotted line position in said Fig. 2. The stop surface 19 holds the switching member 11 against movement until the dead center line is crossed in the manner set forth, at which time the switching member, as I have already observed, is rapidly swung over to the dotted line position, where it can abut against the stop face 18 or against the upright portions of the contacts 35 and 36 fitted against said stop surface, thus arresting the motion of the switching member. It will be clear when the switching member is arrested by this stop surface 18 or the fixed contacts 35 and 36, the anti-friction roller 13 will engage the two contacts35 and 36 and will electrically bridge the space or interval between them. To open the circuit the actuator 5 will be moved from the dotted line to the full line position in Fig. 2, durin which movement the action just describeg will be reversed. The bottom of the cavity 17 is advantageously conveXed or on a depressed arc by which I can obtain proper control and guiding of the switching member in its on and off movements.

I have described a spring which meets my conditions in an eminently desirable manner. This spring is conditioned by being stressed. As may be inferred it is possible that this type of spring may not always be utilized.

What I claim is:

1. A switch comprising supporting means, an actuator in cooperative relation with said supportingmeans, a switching member having a 'connection with the actuator, spring means interposed between the actuator and the switching member, the support having stops engageable by the switching member when in the on and the off positions thereof and also having a guide surface to be traversed by the switching member when moved between said on and 0H positions, said guide surface being situated between said stops, and the actuator on its movements being adapted to operate the switching member and at the same time stress the spring means and the spring means when stressed acting to snap the switching member between its respective positions.

2. A switch comprising supporting means, an actuator in coperative relation with Said supporting means, a switching member having a connectionwith the actuator, spring means interposed between the actuator and the switching member, the support having stops engageable b v the switching member when in the on and the off positions thereof and the actuator on its movements being adapted to operate the switching member supporting means, a switching member hav-' lng an operative connection with the actuator, sprmg means between the actuator and the switching member, the operative portion of the switching member being in the form of an anti-friction roller and the supporting means having a guide surface to be traveled b v the anti-friction roller in moving from the on to the off positions and vice versa, said supporting means having stops to be engaged by the switching member when in the on and the oli' positions, and said guide surface being disposed between said stops.

4. A switch comprising supporting means, an actuator in cooperative relation with said supporting means, a switching member having an operative connection with the actuator, spring means between the actuator and thel switching member, the operative portion of the switching member being in the form of an anti-friction roller and the supporting means having a guide surface to be traveled by the anti-friction roller in moving from the on to the off positions and vice versa, said supporting means having contacts and the anti-friction roller being of conducting material and adapted to bridge the contacts when the switching member is in the on position. Y

5. A switch comprising supporting means 'having a chamber, the bottom of which constitutes a guide surface, an actuator in cooperative relation with the supporting means and the switching member having an actuating connection with the actuator, means governedby the actuator for effecting a snap movement of the switching member to on and ofi' positions in alternation, the switching member bein adapted to traverse said guide surface on t e movement of the switching member.

6. A switch comprising supportingmeans having a chamber, the bottom of which constitutes a guide surface, an actuator in cooperative relation with the supporting means and the switching member having an actuating connection with the' actuator, means governed by the actuator for effecting a snap movement of the switching member to on and oil positions in alternation, the switching member being adapted to traverse said guide surface on the movement of the switching member, and said guide surface being concaved.

7. A switch comprisingsupport-ing means `liti having a chamber,the bottom of which constitutes a guide surface, an actuator in cooperative -relation with the supporting means, a switching member havingan actuating connectioniwith the actuator, means governed by the 'actuator for eecting a snap movement ofthe switching member yto having a concaved guide surface and also having stops approximately at opposite ends of said guide surface, an actuator in coperative relation with the supporting means,

a switching member having an operative .connection with the actuator, means governed by the actuator for eecting snap movement of the, switching member to on and od ositions, the switching member in moving rom one position to the other, traversing the said guide surface'.

9. 'llhe combination of supporting means having a concaved guide surface and also having stops approximately at o posite ends of said guide surface, an actua ,or in coperative relation with the supporting means, y

a switching member havingr an operative connection with the actuatormeans governed by the actuator for eecting snap movement of the switching member to on and o positions,O the switching member in moving from onel position to the other, traversing said guide surface, and the supporting means having contacts resting against one of the stops and to be electrically bridged by the switching member when in the on position thereof.

10. 'lihe combination of supporting means, an actuator in coperative relation with the supporting means, a switching member having a loose pivotal connection with the actuator and also having a circuit governing portion, and a spring interposed between the actuator and the switching member and conditioned by the actuator on the movement thereof, the spring being adapted when thus conditioned to impart a snap movement to the switching member when the actuator has moved a predetermined distance, said supporting means having in turn means to positively prevent the movement of the'circuit governing portion of the switching member until the actuator reaches a certain point. p. l

11.. A switch of the class described comprismg supporting means having a walled cavity and also having contacts, an actuator on said supporting means, a switching member loosely connected with thel actuator and thefrce end provided with means for bridgineaeei body having a cavity and also providedv therein with stops, an actuator supported by the body and` having apin, a forked arm lstraddling the pin and slotted to receive the pin, and a spring interposed between the actuator and the arm, the free end portion of the forked arm constituting a circuit controlling portion and being adapted to traverse said cavity on the motion of the forked arm by the actuator, the stops arresting the circuit controlling portion when in the on and the od positions.

13. A switch comprising an insulating body having a concaved surface and valso having stops at the end of the surface, said body further having contacts, an actuatorsupported for straight line movement, `a switching arm having a loose pivotal connection with the actuator between the ends thereof, a spring interposed between the actuator and the arm, the operative part of the arm being in the form of an anti-friction roller which constitutes an electrical bridging element for said contacts.

14. An insulating body having a concaved l surface, an actuator supported and in cooperative relation with the body, a single switching arm provided with a shoulder and also with an anti-friction roller to traverse said surface, and a spring bearing against the actuator-and also against the shoulder on the arm. Cy,

15. A switch comprising an insulating body having a concaved surface terminating in stops, an actuator comprising a slotted intermediate portion and also comprising buttons at the ends of the intermediate portion, the body having means for supporting said intermediate portion for straight line movement, said intermediate portion having a pin extending across the slot, a switching arm projecting into the slot and foikedg.,to i

receive the pin, a spring surrounding JSaid arm and bearing against the same and also against the intermediate portion of the actuator, and an anti-friction roller to traverse said surface, the anti-friction roller having an operative connection with the arm.

16. A f switch comprising supporting. means, an actuator in cooperative relation with said supporting means, la switching member having an voperative association with the actuator, spring means between the actuator and the switching member, the supporting means having a fixed guide surface to be traversed by the free portion of the switching member -in moving from the on to the 01E positions and vice versa.

17. A switch comprising supporting means, an actuator in coperative relation with said supporting means, a switching member having an operative connection with the actuator, spring means between the actuator and the switching member, the supporting lmeans having an insulatingguide surface to be traversed by the operative portion of the switching member between the on and o positions thereof. v

18,. The combination? of supporting means having a guide surface, an actuator in cooperative relation with the supporting 'p means, means governed by the actuator for eecting snap movement of the switching 'member to on and od positions, the switching member in moving from one position to the other traversing said 'guide surface, and stops to arrest the switching member in pre determined extreme positions thereof 19. A switch vcomprising means, an actuator in cooperative relation with the supporting means, a switching supporting member associated with the actuator, spring In testimony whereof ii a my signature.

in the presence of two witnesses.

. MUNRUE GUETT.. Witnesses:

Morals Brin., A. J. BENNETT., 

